As everyone departed, the plaza of the Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion became much emptier, but it was far from deserted.
The Ancient Void Dragon Clan had not left alongside the other factions. Zhu Huo led several elders of the Ancient Dragon Clan and continued waiting quietly at the edge of the plaza, looking toward Zhu Kun and Zi Yan as they awaited their instructions.
Zhu Kun turned around, his gaze falling upon Zhu Huo. A gentle yet dignified smile appeared on his resolute face.
He then said, "Zhu Huo, Zi Yan and I will remain here to protect young Lin. Take the clan members back to Dragon Island first."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Huo's aged body trembled slightly. He immediately bowed respectfully and replied, "I obey the orders of the old Dragon Emperor, Your Majesty!"
He then straightened up, deeply saluted Lin Ming and Zi Yan, then turned around and waved at the several Ancient Dragon Clan elders behind him. Leading the group, he entered the still-open Space Passage one after another.
As Zhu Huo and his group vanished, the Space Passage floating in the void finally closed slowly. Its last flicker of light flashed once before going completely dark, as though it had never existed.
Within the vast Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion, only Lin Ming, Zi Yan, and Zhu Kun remained.
The instant the Space Passage completely shut, the atmosphere within the cave mansion abruptly changed.
When the various factions had still been present, everyone had appeared harmonious enough, but there had always been a layer of formal politeness and restraint between them.
Now that the outsiders had all left, only family remained.
The solemn atmosphere seemed to be quietly brushed away by an invisible hand, replaced by a relaxed ease born of familiarity and mutual understanding.
Zhu Kun